Reviewing the 35th Annual Reader's Award Finalists from Asimov's Science Fiction. 2021. Novellas, Novelettes, and Short Stories
Asimov’s Science Fiction is one of the greatest science fiction magazines in the history of the genre. With over 75 Hugo Awards, 30 Nebula Awards, and many other significant awards, it has been the voice of the genre for more than four decades. It certainly was instrumental in shaping reading world since my earliest teen years.
The Readers of ASF vote each year for their favorite stories in the traditional categories of Novella, Novelette, and Short Story. For the 35th Annual Award, which covers stories first published in 2020, all but one of the finalists are available for free download. As of today - May 7, 2021.
I have now read the entire collection of stories and offer my brief - no spoiler - reviews and a ranking of my favorites.
BEST NOVELLA
Maelstrom by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (September/October 2020)
Great. A wonderful and heartfelt space opera. The Najar Crater on Madreperla is incredibly dangerous and mysteriously unstable. The author of this story investigates the disappearance of one ship that tried to explore it, attempting to recreate the vessels last moments. Buy this Story Here.
Nic and Viv's Compulsory Courtship by Will McIntosh (July/August 2020)
Good. An City-Managing Artificial Intelligence has decided that Nic and Viv belong together. Only one problem, they already have romantic partners.
Semper Augustus by Nancy Kress (March/April 2020)
Good. Nobody writes “poor people in the future” like Nancy Kress. Aliens landed and traded technology with China. The result is a more extreme separation between haves and have nots. The very long novella follows a young girl who navigates this world. Excellent character complexity.
Take a Look at the Five and Ten by Connie Willis (November/December 2020)
Good. A quietly haunting story of obsessive memories, love, and science. Grandma Elving seems to be unable to stop telling a specific story about a Christmas past. But Sloan’s scientist boyfriend thinks that there may be something more sinister. Barely SF, but charming. Buy it Here.
Tool Use by the Humans of Danzhai County by Derek Künsken (July/August 2020)
Good. A man and his illegitimate daughter transform China over 100 years with Artificial Intelligence. Smart and optimistic, but lacks much story or engaging characters.
BEST NOVELETTES
The Beast Adjoins by Ted Kosmatka (July/August 2020)
Great. The Beast - whose true nature is slowly revealed in historical flashbacks - is coming through space to kill a woman and her suffering child. Horrifying, suspenseful, and full of well written action. There is some really interesting interaction between artificial intelligence, quantum positioning, the nature of existence, and what constitutes a god.
The Hind by Kevin J. Anderson & Rick Wilber (November/December 2020)
Good. On a damaged world ship that will never reach its destination, a pregnant woman must murder an old woman who is “no longer necessary.”
Tunnels by Eleanor Arnason (May/June 2020)
Good. While on assignment in Innovation City, our protagonist is hacked by a virus that makes her strand herself in the tunnels below. A fun light-hearted adventure.
The Long Iapetan Night by Julie Novakova (November/December 2020)
Average. When multiple disasters occurred on earth, a mission to a moon of Saturn was stranded and had to try to survive for themselves. A second mission discovers the truth and terror of what happened there.
Beyond the Tattered Veil of Stars by Mercurio D. Rivera (March/April 2020)
Average. Pretty much a modern day retelling of the great “Microcosmic God”. Even covering many of the same story beats.
BEST SHORT STORIES
Return to the Red Castle by Ray Nayler (March/April 2020)
Great. Masterful depiction of a future Istanbul in this story of a space traveller who discovers that her mission was a scam played by terrorists. She tries to reconnect with her old teacher, who is a robot. Extremely well written and full of believable characters who inhabit a believable world. I love this story.
GO. NOW. FIX. by Timons Esaias (January/February 2020)
Great. A smart and fun story of a defunct “Panda Pillow” with AI who finds itself in the middle of an airplane crash. Esaias does a great job of putting you into the mind of a very simple AI. The author doesn’t cheat in this thrilling story and it ends up being a very realistic portrayal.
Father by Ray Nayler (July/August 2020)
Good. In an alternate 1950s, the US Army sends a robot father to a young boy. Quite good, but the resolution is a bit predictable.
Rena in the Desert by Lia Swope Mitchell (March/April 2020)
Good. A young woman flees across an apocalyptic American landscape to find an automated hotel still working in the desert.
The Conceptual Shark by Rich Larson (September/October 2020)
Average. A weird bit of fantasy with a guy getting attacked by a shark in places sharks can’t be. Like his bath tub. Read The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall instead.
Return to Glory by Jack McDevitt (November/December 2020)
Average. A love letter to Star Trek, when episodes are found by a future utopia.
